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Glossary of summaries

Education

Each EU country is responsible for the organisation of its education and training systems and the content of teaching programmes. In accordance with Article 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the EU contributes to the development of quality education by encouraging cooperation between EU countries and, if necessary, by supporting and supplementing their action.

The Europe 2020 strategy highlights the important role to be played by education and training in achieving its targets. The EU thus plays a key role in supporting and supplementing efforts to improve and modernise EU countries' education and training systems. The objectives, instruments and arrangements for joint work at EU level are outlined in the strategic framework known as Education and Training (ET) 2020.

This policy aspect is complemented by the ERASMUS+ programme (2014-2020) which allows students, trainees and staff to spend time abroad to increase their skills and employability; and educational institutions to work together across borders to innovate in and improve the quality of education.